Preteen chef has Prime Hook roots

Andrew Zappley tells you he's an average 12-year-old boy. He loves playing video games and spending time with his family at their Prime Hook beach house. But he has some skills many adults can't master – making homemade risotto and raviolis from scratch.

Andrew showcased his talents in the kitchen on season three of "MasterChef Junior," where he outshined dozens of young aspiring chefs as he made his way to the final round of competition.

“I'm definitely the average 12-year-old boy, but I know how to cook,” he said after the show's finale aired Feb. 24.

He didn't earn the title as the newest MasterChef Junior, which is accompanied with a $100,000 grand prize, but the New Jersey native said he was honored he made it so far.

“Having them take me to the next round of auditions was even amazing,” Andrew said. “And then every time I stepped out of the the kitchen I thought, 'I've done it. I'm in the next round.'”

Just being on stage with skilled peers and learning from the masters was a prize enough for him, he said.

Andrew's passion for cooking began when he was about 6 years old. Like any other kid, he loved chicken nuggets, and while his mom would do her best to make them, they just weren't up to par for the little foodie. So the young boy suggested adding mashed potatoes to the mix. The nuggets turned out delicious.

From there, his passion grew. Andrew's signature dish – chicken milanese – was borne from that chicken nugget experiment.

“I knew he could cook, but I didn't know how well he could cook compared to the other kids,” said Andrew's mom, Karen Harrie-Zappley. Karen was beaming with pride for her now nationally known mini-chef, who also managed to make the honor roll while starring on the show.

Andrew said he enjoys tapping into his south Jersey heritage while he whips up new dishes for his parents and 14-year-old brother, Anthony. His favorite thing to cook is Italian food, he said, especially because the dishes are often comfort foods.

He hopes to open his own crepe restaurant one day, and he's thrilled that he heard some wise words from internationally famous Chef Gordon Ramsey to guide him as he grows. Andrew has even inspired some of his classmates to start cooking or helping their parents prepare meals.

Andrew was cheerfully optimistic as he reflected on his time on "MasterChef Junior." He said he hopes anyone who wants to give gourmet cooking a go – no matter how young they might be – should follow their dreams.

“If you think you can do it, definitely try,” he said, sharing some advice for his peers. “If they think they have what it takes, they should go try it, because it will work out.”

Farmers market fan

While Andrew and his family live full-time in West Deptford, N.J., they spend as much time as they can at their Prime Hook home, overlooking the Delaware Bay. Andrew said he loves stopping at all of the farmers markets along the way to gather ingredients for a super fresh fruit salad and locally grown eggplants for eggplant parmigiana or whatever recipe catches his fancy.

“Having a beach house down there is pretty cool,” Andrew said. “I like to make anything in the summer with whatever's in season.”

From homemade popsicles to chicken cordon bleu, this young man has all the courses covered.

Andrew is just an average boy, with an extraordinary talent. As he continues to master his kitchen skills, he's found a way to make them fun, too. Karen said he's currently obsessed with flambé dishes – because what boy doesn't enjoy a chance to play – responsibly – with fire?

“I do like having my own chef in the house,” Karen said, “but he does make a mess.”

For photos and footage of Andrew's appearance on "MasterChef Junior," go to www.fox.com/masterchef-junior.